Thinking we were heading out of the city into the countryside, we were surprised to find that Mandurah was really a satellite city of Perth (somewhat like Sydney’s Central Coast). With a population well exceeding that of Port Macquarie we were still surrounded by all the shops, conveniences etc. We stayed on the edge of town near the river, which sounds lovely but unfortunately for us they had just the day prior sprayed the river banks for mossies, stirring them up terribly! We did however find ourselves in one of the better park arrangements that we have encountered on the trip. We could spread out on a huge caravan site that was literally adjacent to the playground and jumping pillow. The kids were thrilled to have these at their doorstep. Georgie became impressively skilled at climbing the ladder to the top of the slide and whizzing down. Kate watched nervously at first as Georgie teetered at the top of the slide platform, but the big kids were never too far away, watching over their little sister. We visited the fascinating Abingdon Minature Village, marvelling at the perfect gardens housing old English model buildings. The kids excitedly whizzed through the garden mazes and we escaped the rain to the tea house for a scrumptious morning tea.
We took a day trip to Rockingham to visit Penguin and Seal Islands. It was a very short 5 minute ferry ride across to Penguin Island where we saw fairy penguins being hand fed. Ten are housed in a purpose built conservation hut on the island. They were adorable waddling from their little huts to the feeder for their lunch. There are some 1,200 that inhabit the island but are usually off in search of the fish in the day. We did spot two in little burrows as we walked across the island. We then took an additional ferry ride across a channel in the reef to Seal Island. On this particular drizzly day the wind and the waves were up. As we headed across the channel we faced a 4 metre swell which seemed much worse as the ferry had to negotiate the rolling waves side on. Kate was terrified but tried not to let on for the kids sake (as she mentally planned how two adults would save four kiddies, should we capsize!). The sea lions were stinky (said Harrison) and rolled belly up on the sea weedy shore. It was thrilling to see these creatures (as well as hundreds of pelicans, nesting seagulls and five skinks) on our adventures. We all loved the day!
Another outing we drove through the historic towns of Pinjarra and Dwellingup. The countryside was just stunning with green rolling hills, stony outcrops, streams, orchards, sheep etc. This was our coldest day on the trip so far. A chilly 11 degrees and very windy. We searched for a coffee venue and found ourselves at a little boutique winery serving coffee around a lovely fire. The kids sipped their hot chocolates happily and we even managed a five minute wine tasting! Such a different part of the trip compared to the dusty dry remote outback (which we did love!). Not until Perth did we seem to emerge from the dry landscape.
We really feel on the homeward stretch now which raises a mixture of emotions. One young man does tend to tear up at the thought of the trip coming to an end….
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